Invalid-lounge



(No Model.) 2 sheets sheet 1.,

J. ,T. GILBERT. Y

INVALID LOUNGE.

No. 349,089. Patented Sept. 14, 1886.-

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. T. GILBERT. INVALID LOUNGE.

No. 349,089-. .Patented Sept. 14, 1886.

. I aMf/"I #54452? UNITED STATES PATENT F FIQEQ INVALID-LOUNGE.

ttlPl-ZCIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,089, dated September 14, 1886.

Application filcd scplcmber 17, 1885. Serial No. 177,377.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, JAMns T. GILBERT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Amherst Court-House, in the county of Amherst and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Invalid-Lounges, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to invalid or reclining lounges; and the novelty consists in the construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

I hinge my movable parts from a stationary central portion, and provide for various adjustments without leaving the reclining posi-' tion onthe lounge.

The movable parts of my improved lounge have segmental rack-bars which describe an arc of a circle having the pivot for a center, and they are constantly in mesh with multiplying gears upon transverse shafts having hand-wheels of such size as to make adjustment easy. In the case of the foot-rest I employ a peculiar lever, which allows me to obviate and overcome a dead-center from the crank-arm. v v

The invention is illustrated in the aeco1npanying drawings,which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure l is a side elevation with the several parts folded and at rest. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the several movable and operating parts in use and adjusted to provide a restful reclining-surface. Fig.3 is a top plan View. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are details which will be identified in the following description.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the main frame, having supports a, and a central stationary body, A, the upper surface of which is flush with the folding parts when said parts are closed down or not in use.

Hinged at l) to the part A is the back-support 13, having head-support b, and carrying upon either side atoothed segment, b Each segment is an arc of a circle having the pivot b for a center, and its toothed periphery is engaged upon either sideof the lounge or bed by a pinion, a, rigid upon a shaft, 0,

(No model.)

journalcd transversely in the frame A, and carrying also a. toothed hand-wheel, C, which is controlled by a spring-pawl, c.. The rackarm I)", passing between the shaft 0 and pawl 0, allows said pawl to resist pressure upon the support B, while the location of the handwheel 0 is such that the said support may be elevated without materially disturbing the re cumbent position of the operator.

Hinged at (l to the base or body A is the thigh-support D, carrying upon either side segmental rack-bars d, which engage pinions (1 upon a transverse shaft, D, having arigid hand-wheeLDflcontrolled by a spring-pawhd. These supporting and operating parts of the thigh-support D are of construction and arrangement coinciding with similar parts of the back-support B, which have been described, but are arranged reversely with reference to the body A.

Hinged at fto the thigh-support D is a legsupport, F. A segmental rack-bar, f, is carried upon either side of the support F, and these raok-bars f engage pinionsf rigid upon atransverse shaft, F, journaled in the main frame A. I

As thus far described, the improved lounge comprises a main frame, back and thigh supports pivoted thereto, means for elevating them at any desired adjustment, and a leg-rest pivoted to the thigh-support. Now, it is important that the necessary manipulation of parts to secure the necessary adjustment should be performed with the least possible disturbance to the operator, and that the ad justment may be changed at will without having the person leave the recumbent position; hence the hand wheels O and D'tarc arranged within easy reach of the operator, either while sitting or lying. The shaft F and its connections for raising the leg-support are too distant fora hand-wheel to be within reach, and for this shaft I provide different and novel operating means.

Secured upon one side of the main frame is a cast-metal frame,.I, having a tooth-engaging part, j, and a rounded fulcrumbearing, j. These parts j j are separated by an open partitiomj, as seen in Fig. 7.

Rigid upon the shaft F is a cranlrarm, g,

and a lever-arm,G,having a handle; and g is,

IOO

by aproper erankpin,engaged with the crank g, and extended through the frame J. V hen the teeth of the lever-arm G are engaged with the party oftheframe J,the shaft Fis locked in any desired position of adjustment, and when the crank-pin is on a center the leg-rest I? may be raised or lowered at will by pushing or pulling the lever-arm G, according to the location of the crank above or below the axis of motion of the shaft F, and according to the direction in which it is desired to move the said leg-rest. \Vhen, however, the crank-pin is on the center, it is evident that pushing or pulling on thelever-arm G will be ineffectual to rotate the shaft 1". To obviate the difficulty in this respect, I provide the frame G. By this means the operator has only to pass the lever r through the open partition y" and bring it to bear on the part j as fulcrum, when, by pressing upon the handle end the crank may be readily moved away from the center. This is important in my device, as it allows the leg-support to be adjusted within wide limits without material change of position in the operator. Directly above the fulcrum-rest j is another fulcrum, j", arranged in reverse po sition. \Vhen it is desired to throw the crankarm below the line of its dead-center, the free arm of the lever is raised against this latter fulcrum, as is obvious.

.l. provide brackets or bearings H, which are secured upon opposite sides of the main frame A, and provide journal-beariugs for the shafts O, D, and F. The inner face is cut away to form a recess, 71, of a depth to allow the free working of the several pinions and their accompanying segmental arms I)", d', and 7",between such brackets H and the sides of the main frame A, and each bracket has two bearing-faces, 7:. ()ne of these bearingi'lces has a projection, 71 which bears against the smooth back of each toothed arm to hold it continuously and reliably in mesh with its appropriate pinion. These brackets are also important features of my invention, for the reason that they not only afford convenient and efficient journal bearings for the shafts, and provide reliable guides to hold the toothed bars and pinions in mesh, but to cover the engaging teeth from sight and effectually prevent the catching ofclothing or couclrdrapery therein while the device is in use or being adjusted.

From the foregoing description, the operation and advantages of my device will be ap parent.

In details of construction modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of my invention.

Parts ofthe invention may be used without the whole.

I am aware that it is not new to' make a lounge in sections and provide it with toothed segments, whereby the different sections can be adjusted to different planes.

\Vhat I claim as new is 1. In an adjustable lounge, as set forth, the leg-rest F and segment f, combined with a crankshaft and pinion, and with a lever extending forward of the bed, and arranged to rotate the shaft and to break the dead-center of the crank at will, as set forth.

2. The foot or leg support .E,pivoted to the adjustable thigh supportl), and having toothed armsf, combined with the shaft F, having pinionsj and erank'arm 1 the toothed lever G, having handle end g, and the bracket or frame J, having tooth'engaging part-j, fulcrum-beariugsj j", and open partition 7", as set forth.

The brackets II,having bearings h, recess 71, and projection h", combined with the movable parts, the toothed arms, and the shafts and pinions, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflixmy signaturein presence of two witnesses.

JAMES 'l. (.HLBERI.

\Vitnesses:

H. JAYNES, :R. f. PENnLE'rox. 

